Friday, September 13, 2013

Native American Shields

The shield is a significant part of life for many plains indians such as the Sioux, Crow and Kiawa tribes. While some of these shields took various shapes, the circular shield was most popular. Circular objects played an important part of daily life; floor of the tipis, camp fire circle and even the sun and the moon. There are two different shields used in the tribes, one was a war shield that was usually fairly small in size, only about 20-22". The other was a medicine shield, thought to provide protection from the spirit world. The men in the native american community would go on a vision quest to discover what animal would lead them through life. The vision was brought to the medicine man who would then help interpret and reveal this into a symbol that would be depicted on their shield. The shields with their symbol would teach, lead, and protect the man. As the young man progressed in the tribe, he would add additional paintings, feathers, beads and even scalps. These shields were created by my kindergarteners, they were asked to create an image in the center as well as a pattern on the outside edge of the shield. Markers were used to color. Once this was done they crumbled their shields to give it the texture like the buffalo skins and add a brown crayon rubbing in the open spaces. Then, we added a cardboard and yarn backing to so that the kids could place it on their arm like a true indian warrior.

About Me

I am the K-5 art teacher for Elm Grove Elementary in the Hays school district, just outside of Austin, Tx. I am in my 20th year of teaching and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I pretty much have the best job ever! I love experimenting with materials, lessons with Literacy, adding in cultural experiences, as well as studying great artist from the past and present.

Splash

Welcome to my art blog. This is meant to be a place for me to document art projects and happenings here at school and sometimes in the district. My hope is that students and their families will visit from time to time and catch up on what is happening in the art room throughout the school year. This is also a place to share with other art teachers and educators. If you visit my page, I would love for you to join and comment on the art pieces. The more, the merrier!!